On your mark, get set... for the IOP Beach Run, which takes place in a couple weeks. The Lowcountry has no shortage of road races. There are plenty of 10K and 5Ks on a myriad of surfaces. Of course there’s the biggie, the Cooper River Bridge Run, which takes place each spring, right around the first of April. It’s the third largest 10K in the country. The Bridge Run was also named the top tourism event in the state of South Carolina. It draws almost around 35,000 or so participants from across the globe. Then there are the “connector runs,” like the James Island Connector Run. In that one, you can either run, walk or bike, and dogs are welcome. It’s a 10K run or bike race, and a 5K run or walk. The Isle of Palms has its own Connector Run, which over the years has raised quite a bit of money for children’s charities. Both connector runs generally happen in October, which is usually a pleasant time to race.
Time to Run the Beach
Well, coming up this month is your chance to race on the beach itself. It’s the annual Isle of Palms Beach Run, an annual event. You can choose among a 10K run and a 5K run or walk. There are also youth races for the younger sets. As stated on the City’s website: “All events are held entirely on the flat, wide, hard-packed beach (near low tide).” This year’s race, the 27th annual one, is Saturday, July 27th. Luckily it starts early in the morning, before the heat of the day settles in. The IOP Beach Run will go on rain or shine. The action starts and finishes on Front Beach behind The Windjammer, located at 1008 Ocean Boulevard. Sponsors are familiar area businesses. They include The Windjammer (of course), Morgan Creek Grill, East Cooper Medical Center, Play It Again Sports, Isle of Palms Marina, Barrier Island Eco Tours, Coconut Joe’s, Harris Teeter, Spine Pain Center, Race Management Systems and Ben & Jerry’s.
Here are some details about the IOP Beach Run
- When it first began in 1993, it was called the “Sand Shark Run,” a four-miler.
- It has evolved into the Isle of Palms Beach Run - a 5K and also now a 10K event, as well as Youth Fun Runs.
- Youth Fun Runs are set as follows:
100 yards for ages 4 and under,
½ mile for ages 5 to 8, and
one miler for ages 9 to 14.
- The 5K is a run/walk, while the 10K is a run.
- The 5K and 10Ks begin first at 8:00 a.m., followed by the Youth Fun Runs at 9:00.
- The 5K/10K awards are given out afterwards at the Windjammer.
- Fees are: $35 for the runs and walk, and $15 for Youth Fun Runs.
NOTE: You still have time to register online. Here’s a link where you can do so. You can also register in person during packet pickup. That will happen Friday, July 26th from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Windjammer, or Saturday morning starting at 7:00 a.m. Here’s the event’s page on the IOP website. These are the results from last year’s Beach Run. So sign up if you’d like to hit the sand running, and hopefully win a prize, just steps from our Isle of Palms luxury rentals. And be sure to call EP when you’d like to rent one. All best, Lowcountry Lisa your Isle of Palms vacation blogger